Page 93 of Huntress

“I didn’t know the hunters accepted demons,” she replied.

“He’s a special case,” Roz explained dryly. “Riven was invited here as part of a magic exchange pilot program. She’ll teach our staff healing practices they are not familiar with in exchange for experience in the field and learning how to erect a barrier large enough to protect her village.”

“Oh, that’s pretty useful.”

“As the first squad, there’s no healer and witch team more qualified for the task. She will be shadowing you for the time being,” Roz dropped the bomb.

Elsie fixed a fake smile on her lips. “Great.”

“Also, your squad has two new missions. Come to my office and collect them, divide your people accordingly.”

“Anything else you want to throw at me while we’re here? I mean, you’ve given me a demon, nine near-death experiences, unscheduled special training, two missions, a mage… I haven’t even had the chance to check in on Steve. How does an apocalypse sound? I’m sure we can handle one of those on top of everything else.”

“Cute. Let’s go.”

Chapter twenty

Chapter 20

“Stevenson and Trisse are not yet cleared for fieldwork.” Roz dug through her desk for the files she needed. “The healers have done the best they can, but the tearing in Trisse’s muscle was too extensive. He needs more time. Stevenson… They think you’ll have to make a decision on his continuation in your squad.”

Elsie bowed her head, her fingers twisting together. Her newest, sunshiniest squad member had always been a little on the softer side. Something that tended to sort itself out over time with newer soldiers. Their work was like a smith’s forge, molding and sharpening personalities with each mission. Sometimes an instance of severe trauma interrupted the hardening process and broke a young person’s mind.

“I’ll visit both of them before we go, but I won’t be making any decisions about Steve today,” Elsie said quietly, raising her head to look Roz in the eye. “You saw the aftermath of that battle and even then you–”

“Easy, Chantraine, nobody is blaming him. I took everyone’s reports, remember? I know what you experienced. And nobody is rushing Stevenson’s recovery. It’s not like we’ll abandon him in the woods. We’ve invested far too much effort into his training. He has time,” Roz placated.

She pulled out the files and pushed them across the desk to Elsie. Elsie picked up the closer one and read through it quickly, her face softening. The mission was simple and straightforward, though it would take multiple members of her squad away from the compound for an extended period.

They would be heading back south to the colonies, escorting an ambassador from one colony to the next, making sure his convoy was kept safe. They were bringing goods that couldn’t be taken through the tram, so they’d be traveling over land. Nothing too serious. Demons rarely attacked convoys; they were too heavily armed to be worth the risk.

Elsie switched to the other file, confusion growing with each line as she read. “A contract? What the heck is Frost Hollow?”

“Of course Albright and Mordane didn’t tell you. Why would they assume the responsibility of further irritating the great and powerful Chantraine?” An annoyed expression flitted across Roz’s face. “This mission is another perk of your promotion.”

Elsie sighed. She’d make Albright pay for this the next time she saw him.

“Who are we taking contracts from?” Elsie repeated. “And what on earth are they offering to pay for our services?”

Roz glanced at Riven and Saint uncomfortably, clearing her throat. “We’re not sending you to defend some nefarious creatures, if that’s what you’re worried about. The colonies aren’t the only humans outside of the vampire kingdoms.”

“You contracted my squad to help the ferals?” Elsie asked, tilting her head slightly.

Feral humans had gone into the wilds centuries ago, escaping the grasping reaches of the vampire kingdoms on their own. They’d naturalized themselves among the magical creatures of the world, and were slowly becoming a species unto themselves.

“There are human settlements northeast of here, beyond the demon lords of the north. Frost Hollow is one of them. They were overlooked during the great collapse and were never enslaved by demon kind or vampires, but they’re not feral. They’re civilized, mostly. They’re unusually friendly with the local magical creatures, but sometimes a demon will cause problems that they can’t handle,” Roz explained.

“Why have I never heard of these people?” Elsie asked. “If there were already humans out there, why are the colonies keeping them in nests?”

“We didn’t learn about them until the first few colonies were already established. Knowledge of their existence is restricted. Otherwise, news of it would spread to the humans, and their leadership doesn’t want them to know. It’s not up to us to disobey those orders.” Roz sighed.

“But she gets to listen in?” Elsie asked, jabbing a thumb toward the mage, who was watching them both with wide, interested eyes.

“Oh, I already knew. They’re not a secret to anyone else. Except maybe the humans in the vampire kingdoms?” Riven shrugged.

“This is ridiculous. Why do they want the humans to believe they’re alone in the world?” Elsie asked, then scowled. “I get it. They don’t want them to be aware that they have choices in how and where they live.”

“They don’t have choices,” Roz snapped. “The humans we look after belong to a collective, and that collective is in charge of ensuring those humans continue to live long and productive lives.”